Colombia Bird Photography
10 Days — Valle del Cauca & Tolima
Four reserves between the Western and Central Andes, photographed mostly from feeders and hides. Two guides from our team drive and stay with you for the whole trip.
Dear Travelers,
At Motmot Nature we work with one or two photographers at a time. We like to give each place time: we return to the same feeders at different hours and decide light, position and timing together with you in the field. Along the trip we also hold sessions to review the images together.
This route from Cali to Tolima, from January 19 to 28, 2027, moves a little faster than our usual pace. It covers more ground to bring together as many species as possible, while still giving two or three days to each stop so you can work every place properly.
Why this route. It crosses from the Western to the Central Andes and covers four different environments: the humid Pacific slope at Doña Dora, the cloud forest at La Florida, the dry forest of the Cauca Valley around Buga, and the Anaime canyon in Tolima. Each step brings species you won't find at the previous one, ending with Tolima's endemics at El Retorno del Colibrí and a day in the wax palm forest with their team, looking for the Yellow-eared Parrot. On the last day we drive you to Armenia airport for your flight out. All the reserves have well-established feeders and hides, so the birds come close and the light can be planned. The longest walk is the 700 m trail to the Cock-of-the-rock lek at Doña Dora.
✈ Flights — your flight times can add two more sessions
Day 1, Tue Jan 19 — Arrival: Book the earliest domestic flight into Cali (Alfonso Bonilla Aragón — CLO). If you land in the morning, we reach Doña Dora by midday and use the whole afternoon at the feeders.
Day 10, Thu Jan 28 — Departure: Book your flight out of Armenia (El Edén — AXM), about 1.5 hours from Anaime. With an afternoon or evening departure, we can add a final morning at El Retorno del Colibrí, which is on the way, before the drive.
Day-by-Day Route
All transfers are in our private vehicle, driven by your guides.
- ✈Cali airport (CLO) · arrival, Day 1
- 1Doña Dora · Days 1–3
- 2La Florida · Days 4–5
- 3Hacienda El Diamante, Buga · Days 6–7
- 4Anaime, Tolima · Days 8–9
- ✈Armenia airport (AXM) · departure, Day 10
Sites & Target Species
Doña Dora Birding
La Florida Birding
Hacienda El Diamante
El Retorno del Colibrí
Wax Palm Forest — Anaime
From the Route
Photos from the reserves and lodges on this route.
Birds
Lodging
Trip Cost
Included & Not Included
✓ Included
- 9 nights in one room with two separate beds and private bathroom. At Cantos del Río (Days 8–9) the cabins have no twin beds, so each of you gets your own cabin
- All meals from Day 1 lunch to Day 10 lunch
- Two guides from our team for the whole trip
- Private vehicle with fuel and highway tolls
- Entrance to the reserves in the itinerary
- Yellow-eared Parrot outing with the El Retorno del Colibrí team
- Pickup at Cali airport and drop-off at Armenia airport
✗ Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips and personal expenses
- Activities not listed in the itinerary
Booking Conditions
Reservation & Payment
A 40% deposit (USD 2,680) confirms the booking. The balance is due 15 days before the start date. We accept international wire transfer (Western Union or bank transfer).Cancellation Policy
With the deposit we book and secure every lodge on the itinerary. Those bookings are non-refundable, and our two guides are committed to your dates for all 10 days.If you cancel after paying the deposit, we can refund about 15% of the deposit (unused tolls and part of the operator fee). The other 85% is already committed to lodging and guide time.
Date changes depend on availability at every site and may change the price if rates differ.